Chapter 1
Sylvia Singh, the chief purser at Gordon Airlines, had been married to the aloof Captain Ronan Gordon for three years. Yet not a single co-worker knew about their relationship.
Ronan had insisted on keeping their marriage secret, even treating her like a stranger in public.
For three years, she willingly played the role of an invisible shadow, secretly supporting him.
Then Lacey Carter, Ronan’s first love, returned from abroad.
Right in front of Sylvia and everyone else, they acted all lovey-dovey.
That was when Sylvia finally realized there had never been a need for secrecy or concern for gossip. He just didn’t love her.
Devastated, she quit her job and signed the divorce papers, ready to make way for Lacey.
During a plane accident, Sylvia, thinking she would die on that flight, sent Ronan a final message.
Luckily, the plane landed safely in the end.
But a shard of metal had sliced her arm during the chaos, warm blood soaking her white uniform dress.
When she got off, she managed to bandage the wound, but it wouldn’t stop bleeding.
Her back was sore. Her delicate face was pale with exhaustion and the fragile relief of surviving.
She unlocked her phone, only to find no reply from Ronan.
The fear hadn’t left her. So she dialed Ronan’s number, desperate to hear his voice.
But all she heard was the mechanical, indifferent recording, “The number you have dialed is unavailable.”
All her co-workers had been picked up by their husbands and families. Sylvia was the only one left.
She told herself Ronan must still be on the plane, too busy to check his phone.
And then she froze, her last fragile hope shattered.
Ten yards away, Ronan stepped out of the elevator. A stunning woman was next to him, her hand rising to adjust Ronan’s tie.
Ronan, who never let any woman get too close, stood perfectly still, letting her fuss over him, his eyes soft with affection.
Whispers buzzed all around.
“Who’s that gorgeous woman with Captain Gordon? She looks so cool!”
“That’s Lacey Carter, the new senior engineer. Heard she’s his first love. They spent the entire morning in his office together. Looks like they’re about to get back together.”
“An engineer and a pilot. What a perfect match! Look at the way he smiles at her! Gosh, I’m so jealous.”
As the gossip swirled, tears welled up in Sylvia’s eyes. The pain seemed to grow more intense, leaving her arm shaking.
So Ronan hadn’t been working. He had been with Lacey-the woman who destroyed her family!
Sylvia exhaled shakily, feeling her strength drain away like air from a punctured balloon.
She pulled out her phone again and called her lawyer, her voice hoarse with devastation.
“Sir, I need you to draft a divorce agreement.”
Just as she hung up, Ronan and Lacey brushed past her.
Ronan stood tall, eyes fixed ahead, as if Sylvia truly were nothing more than a stranger.
Lacey clung to his arm with a smug smile, shooting Sylvia a look of triumph.
Suddenly, she stopped and caught Sylvia’s hand, grinning.
“Sylvia! It’s been forever. Are you just finishing your shift? It’s pouring out there. How come your husband isn’t here to pick you up?” she asked. As she spoke, she tilted her head coyly toward Ronan, her cheeks flushed pink.
09:59
< Chapter 1
“I didn’t bring my umbrella today, so I’ll have to trouble Ronan to drive me home.”
Ronan looked at Lacey and gently replied, “We’ve known each other for years. It’s no trouble.”
They flirted right in Sylvia’s face as if she didn’t exist.
Sylvia’s chest tightened as she spoke, “Yes. After so many years apart, you wouldn’t know that my husband died long ago. I’ve been a widow for three years. So please, don’t mention him again.”
Ronan’s stare cut into her like a blade. Obviously, it was a silent warning.
But still, he didn’t say a word to her, simply walking away with Lacey.
As she watched them go, Sylvia felt her heart shatter into pieces. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
Then she took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
She thought, “It’s fine. Once I get Ronan to sign the divorce papers, I’ll submit my resignation.
“By then, I’d be free. Never have to see this sickening scene or cry for him ever again.”
She let out a bitter laugh, picked up her suitcase, and went home.
After taking a shower and dressing her wound, she sat in front of her vanity, staring at her wedding ring.
Without hesitation, she slipped it from her finger and dropped it into the jewelry box.
At 10:30 PM, Ronan pulled into the garage in a hurry.
He’d only seen Sylvia’s messages and missed calls after dropping Lacey home.
Then he realized Sylvia had been on that near-crash flight.
Recalling her pale face back at the office, he couldn’t help quickening his steps.
When Ronan rushed into the house, it was pitch dark.
He strode into the bedroom and approached the slim figure curled in the sheets. Then he lifted Sylvia’s injured arm, brushing it carefully.
In the pale moonlight, he could see her curvy body. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and heat spread through his veins.
His hand slid to her slender waist, slipping under the hem of her silk nightgown. Her skin was warm, unbearably soft against his palm.
Just as Ronan was about to claim her, Sylvia suddenly woke up. She recoiled, wrapping herself in the blanket and drawing back to the edge of
the bed.
“What are you doing, Ronan?”
Sylvia’s knitted brows made Ronan recall all the cold words she’d said to him in the office. And his face darkened.
Then he grabbed her ankle and yanked her back toward him, pinning her down.
“We’re legally married. What do you think I’m doing?”
As he spoke, one of his hands pinned both of hers above her head, the other tugging at the hem of her nightdress in a rough, determined
gesture.
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